Mute for violins.



W. 0. YUTZY. MUTE FOR VIOLINSQ APPLICATION FILED SBPT.21, 1908.

Patented Apr. 6, 1909.

WILLIAM C. YUTZY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

MUTE FOR VIOLINS.

Specification 01" Letters Patent.

Patented April 6, 1909.

Application filed September 21, 1908. Serial No. 453,981.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VViLLiAM C. YUTZY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and use ful Improvements in Mutes for Violins, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a mute or tone moderator for musical instruments and is more especially intended for use on violins; and has for its object to provide a device of this character that will modulate or soften the tone and obviate the usual harsh metaliic sound produced under the ordinary arrangement.

Figure 1 is an edge elevation of a violin showing the mute attachment on the bridge. Fig. 2 is a view in perspective of a bridge and the mute mounted therein. Fig. 3 is a plan of the mute. Fig. a a transverse section.

A may represent a violin body; B the bridge therefor and C a mute adjustably mounted on the bridge.

The mute C consists of a bar or body 5 with angular inturned j aw ends 6 and 7 forming an integral structure, as best shown in Fig. 3. This mute is composed of a flexible or elastic substance, rubber or a composition thereof being preferred. It may also be made of felt or other material suitable for the purpose that will produce the result desired.

The angular engaging ends of the mute are beveled along their inner faces as at 8, so as to have a self clamping action in retaining the same on the bridge in any position to which it may be adjusted. Moving the mute upward has the effect of diminishing the tone, and downward the opposite effect E is had, the quality of the tone remaining the same. l/Vhen the mute is shifted to its highest position a very soft mute tone is produced, and any volume desired can be obtained, from a full volume of the instrument to a mute tone by changing the position of the device up or down on the bridge.

in practical use the device is placed on the bridge so that the bar-part 5 extends along one side thereof, the springy angular ends clamping the respective edges, as shown in Fig. 2. This self-retaining means conveniently permits of a sliring up and down movement of the device in positioning the same.

The advantage in substituting a flexible material, for metal or other hard substance commonly used in the manufacture of a tone moderator, lies in the fact that one produces a soft sweet tone, and the other a rough harsh tone.

Having thus described my invention what i claim is 1. In a violin or like musical instrument, the combination with the bridge of a mute adjustably and directly mounted thereon and composed of a flexible material.

2. The combination with a stringed musical instrument and a bridge therefor, of a mute comprising a body portion extending across one face of the bride and inturned ends hooking over the edges of said bridge.

3. The combination with a stringed musical instrument and a bridge therefor, of a mute comprising a body portion extending across one face of the bridge and inturned ends hooking over the edges of said bridge, said mute being formed of elastic material.

In testimony whereof I a my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

YFILLlAii C. Y TZY. lVitnesses:

L. B. CoUrLANn, G. E. CHURCH. 

